DOUG Ellis insists he is confident Villa can back David O'Leary's summer re-building plan.

There has been speculation as to the amount of money available to the manager but Ellis has hit back, saying the board's backing is as strong as ever.

And the 81-year-old chairman insists that he is working around the clock to bring in the targets that O'Leary has specified.

Villa have already netted Portsmouth's Patrik Berger, who will sign a two-year contract at the end of the month. O'Leary is now believed to have set his sights on Chelsea pair Scott Parker and Robert Huth while a £2million move for Kevin Phillips is also in the offing.

Those moves appear to be beset by problems, however.

Parker is wanted by a dozen top-flight clubs and Villa have tried for 18 months to entice Chelsea into parting with Huth without success.

Although not disclosing names, or indeed the exact number of targets, Ellis remains upbeat about the club's chances of getting the right men.

He said: "From Monday of this week I have been working round the clock, talking to chairmen of the clubs of which the manager has chosen certain players.

"The names will not be divulged but, rest assured, I am working around the clock and from 8pm, as it will be this evening, calls come to my home.

"I have been reading in the press that the manager has given me a list of four names.

"If he has then they are the ones I am currently working on.

"I am keeping the manager informed. He's been in the office this afternoon to see what progress we are making.